Dual-core desktop duel: AMD vs. Intel

Round 6: Video encoding
Results with night vision may vary.

AMD

AMD
With products such as Microsoft's Windows Media Center operating system and the video-capable iTunes 6, a computer's ability to encode video will only become more important. That said, we suggest you pay extra attention to these video-encoding scores if you're building a PC with any intent to integrate it into your home entertainment scheme.

Video-encoding test (in seconds)
(Shorter bars indicate better performance)
 Sorenson Squeeze 4  
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+
222 
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
224 
Intel Pentium Extreme Edition 840
237 
Intel Pentium D 840
237 
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+
240 
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+
241 
Intel Pentium D 830
249 
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
263 
Intel Pentium D 820
264 

Intel made its most competitive showing on our video-encoding test. AMD still wins the round, but the difference is not as pronounced as it is on other tests. The Athlon 64 X2 4800+ takes its familiar perch atop the performance chart and both it and the Athlon 64 X2 4600+ stand out from the pack in a noticeable way. The processors in the middle of the performance scale, however, are so close that they're statistically tied, with less than 4 seconds and 2 percentage points between the Pentium D 840 and the Athlon 64 X2 4200+. Perhaps we should no longer be surprised that AMD's midrange chips compete well with Intel's higher-end CPUs, but that AMD's dual-core CPUs have maintained such a consistent streak of high performance should impress even the most adamant of Intel apologists.




Winner: AMD


    Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7  
  AMD X X X X X X    
  Intel                

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Talkback 10 comments

  1. AMD crushes Intel chips across the board Anonymous -- 13/12/05

    This is THE best article I have seen showing that AMD processors are dominant across the board - no ifs ands or butts. Its amazing to me this data isnt more well known and more importantly why a Dell doesnt take notice and ship AMD processors.

  2. The reason AMD X2's are faster Kym Busby -- 13/12/05

    There is good reason that the X2's are faster than the Intel's. The 2 cores of an AMD X2 talk to each other directly using a 2GHz Hypertransport link, while the 2 cores of an Intel talk to each other via the north bridge on an 800MHz FSB. This, as well as the integrated memory controller is the decisive factor in the absolute flogging the AMD's give to Intel !!!

  3. AMD neo -- 13/12/05

    LiveSTRONG AMD, Baby!

  4. Curious use of memory Joel Friedman -- 14/12/05

    Maybe it's a misprint, but why was 400Mhz DDR memory used for the AMD system and the higher speed DDR2 memory installed in the Intel tester? An intentional handicap?

    1. memory difference david lee -- 14/12/05

      I saw the memory speed to that is a 267Mhz difference and the amd still won

    2. Athlon doesn't support DDR2 Anonymous -- 14/12/05

      The Athlon does not support DDR2 memory. DDR has lower latency than DDR2 and better suits the Athlon. It should have been noted in the article what memory timings were used, however, as this plays a not unsignificant part in the overall system performance

    3. Athlon X2 supports ddr2 Bobson -- 02/04/07

      Athlon X2 supports DDR2 memory at 800mhz
      but the DDR mem. has a lower latency.

  5. Dual-Core blowout Anonymous -- 16/12/05

    I would like to see a control test using a single-core Intel EE and the AMD FX-55 or FX-57. Are the dual-core chips faster than their single-core cousins?

  6. AMD OR INTEL Colin Davies -- 10/05/07

    Im looking to upgrade motherboard and chip.Can any tell me which is the best for converting dvix to dvd.

    1. the best vic -- 06/06/08

      if u wanna do multi-tasking in a good pace, go for amd without even a second thought................

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